FordLincolnMercury
 

FAQs

USB drive

About this table

SYNC Download & Installation History This table lists the current status of SYNC applications and updates for the vehicle featured on the page. Type indicates type of file selected, such as an update or application. Name labels each file. V...

Do I need a special cable to connect my iPod to SYNC?

Some iPods—including iPod Mini, iPod Click Wheel and iPod with Color Display—require a special cable to connect to SYNC. This cable ensures that all iTunes content and playlists are accessible to SYNC. Please ensure that your media player has the firmware version listed on the c...

Does a thumb drive need to be formatted?

Thumb drives, also called USB drives, are designed to be plug-and-play and generally work right out of the box. They do not require formatting. See your device's owner's manual for specific details. Because U3 USB drives may be password-protected and the files may not be accessible by SYNC,...

Does my media player have to be plugged into the USB port all the time?

If you are playing music through the USB port, the media player must be plugged into SYNC. However, if your media player supports Bluetooth Audio Streaming (A2DP) profiles, you may be able to play it through the SYNC system wirelessly, without using the USB port, if the device has been paired to SYN...

Does my Sony device work with SYNC?

Many newer Sony portable devices, including the PSP, support MP3, WAV, WMA and M4A file formats — all of which work with SYNC. This includes the latest series of Network Walkman products such as the NWZ-A818 and NWZ-S615F media players. Prior to August 2007, many Sony devices used the...

Help for Downloads Widget (confirmed)

How do I change my vehicle? Change If you have more than one SYNC-equipped vehicle and you have registered and saved the vehicle information in your SYNC account, you may view information for those other vehicles by clicking Change. What is my SYNC Version? ...

Help for Update and Customize SYNC

Available Downloads Applications and updates you choose for downloading are listed on this page. SYNC Updates SYNC is updateable, so there may be another compatible version listed under SYNC Updates. Available to enhance your SYNC SYNC is customizab...

How do I download and install updates and applications on SYNC?

Updating SYNC Keep your SYNC system up to date so you can get the most out of this exciting technology. Just follow this simple, three-step process. Prepare USB Drive Your first task is to locate a portable USB data storage device (we refer to it as a USB drive) on whi...

How do I recharge my media player's battery while in the car?

On most popular media players, the battery will start recharging any time it is connected to the system’s USB port while the vehicle is running. No separate charger is necessary.

How do I safely remove my USB drive?

Safely remove USB drive When the download process is complete, you’ll need to safely remove the drive from your computer. To do that on a Windows PC, put your cursor on the Safely Remove Hardware icon, which is located in the system tray in the lower right corner of your screen, next to t...

How do I use the SYNC Status Checker?

The SYNC Status Checker is a small piece of software that records the present version of SYNC installed in your vehicle. Once you choose to download the SYNC Status Checker onto your USB storage drive, plug it into SYNC’s USB port, and SY...

I tried downloading a SYNC update to my USB drive at syncmyride.com, but it failed. Why?

There may be a few reasons why the process of downloading SYNC updates or applications to your USB drive failed. 1.) The USB storage drive may not have been properly located by the download program. Safely remove the U...

I tried to report my successful install but syncmyride.com shows the previous version, not the new one. How do I fix this?

Please run the installation again. Also, make sure the vehicle is running during the entire installation and DO NOT remove the dirve until the installation is complete.

SYNC won’t do anything when I plug in my thumb drive. Why?

Ensure that USB is selected as the Source and the appropriate file types (MP3, WAV, AAC and WMA) are available on your thumb drive. Note that password or biometrically protected files are not accessible by SYNC and that SYNC may not be compatible with all USB storage drives.

What is a source?

Source refers to the source of music or other data that SYNC is going to access. You might have a USB device connected to the USB port and a Bluetooth device engaged at the same time, and a third device connected to the auxiliary input jack. There are times when SYNC will need to know which device y...

What is a thumb drive/flash drive?

Thumb drives and flash drives are commonly used terms referring to a variety of portable mass storage devices which are USB-compliant (USB stands for Universal Serial Bus). USB storage drives are designed to be plug-and-play and work in both Windows and Mac environments.

What is a USB port and where is it in the vehicle?

A USB port is the outlet into which a USB storage drive may be connected. You’ll find the SYNC USB port in the center console or other easily accessible location of your Ford, Lincoln or Mercury vehicle. For the exact location of the USB port in your vehicle, please consult your vehicle Owner’s Guid...

What is the SYNC Status Checker?

When you run the SYNC Status Checker, it records the version of SYNC currently installed in your vehicle so we can deliver the updates and applications specific to your SYNC unit. To get started, download the SYNC Status Checker.

What media players and music formats does SYNC support?

SYNC works with most popular media players equipped with a USB connection, including iPod*, Zune, Plays for Device players and most USB drives. SYNC also plays audio files on most USB storage drives. Supported audio formats include MP3s, AAC, WMA and WAV. For a frequently updated l...

What playlist formats can be played by SYNC?

USB storage drives (also referred to as pen drives, thumb drives, flash drives and some portable media players) require one of the following playlist formats: WPL, ASX or M3U. Media players considered MTP players, (such as Microsoft Zune, SanDisk Sansa, etc.) require the MTP abstract playli...

What’s indexing?

Indexing is the way SYNC categorizes the music it finds on your media player. By indexing the music, SYNC can play selections by track, artist, album, genre and similar music categories. SYNC automatically indexes your music every time the player is connected to SYNC by the USB port. SYNC will begin...

When I attempted to install a SYNC update, SYNC said, "Application Not Found." What does that mean?

When attempting to install updates or applications you might hear the SYNC voice say, "Application Not Found." This means that the update or application file was not downloaded to your USB drive completely. If this is the case, you will need to return to syncmyride.com and download the file again. P...

When I tried to install the SYNC update, SYNC didn't do anything. Why?

1. Be sure your vehicle is running and not in accessory mode when you attempt to install updates and applications. 2. Be sure your USB drive is securely connected to the vehicle's USB port. View also: What is a USB port...

Where is the USB port on my computer?

Can't find your USB port? USB ports often appear on the front of your desktop computer, and you'll find additional USB ports in the back as well. If you have a laptop computer, the USB port(s) may appear on either side or the back. The drive connects only one way, so be careful not to fo...

Why do I accept the update process?

Accept the update process Some computer operating system and browser combinations require that you accept or allow the update process to happen. If your browser and operating system fall into that category, just follow the on-screen prompts. If you don’t see any prompts, don’t worry about...

Why is it important to confirm my installation?

By confirming each successful installation, you’ll help us accurately maintain your SYNC Download and Installation History. This will enable us to keep you informed of pertinent enhancements and updates as they become available. In short, knowing how your SYNC unit is configured will help us do a be...

Will I be able to play music from a flash drive?

In the vast majority of cases, SYNC will recognize and play MP3, WMA, and AAC files from a flash drive, also called a USB drive. Because U3 USB drives may be password-protected and the files may not be accessible by SYNC, we recommend that you do not use U3 USB drives with SYNC. For...

Will my media player work with SYNC?

The answer is likely: “Yes!” Most popular media players work with SYNC, including iPod*, Zune, “Plays for Device” players, and most USB drives. Supported audio formats include MP3s, AAC, WMA, and WAV. Want to view and print a frequently updated list? ...

Will my memory stick work?

Sony manufactures a storage device called Memory Stick, which is not a conventional USB storage device, also called a USB drive, and does not work with SYNC.